U.S. patent number 7,779,504 [Application Number 11/501,081] was granted by the patent office on 2010-08-24 for cleaner system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Jae Man Joo, Jun Hwa Lee.
United States Patent |
7,779,504 |
Lee , et al. |
August 24, 2010 |
Cleaner system
Abstract
A cleaner system having an improved connecting position and
structure between a robot cleaner and a docking station for
achieving an improvement in dust removal performance of the docking
station. The docking station performs manual cleaning. The robot
cleaner has a dust outlet at a top wall of the robot body to
discharge the dust collected in the first dust collector into the
docking station, and the docking station has a connection port at a
position thereof corresponding to the dust outlet to receive the
dust discharged from the dust outlet. The robot cleaner or docking
station includes a connector to connect the dust outlet to the
connection port. The docking station includes a suction part,
suction pipe, and suction hole for manual operation. A channel
switching member is mounted in the docking station to selectively
apply power required to suck dust to the connection port or suction
hole.
Inventors: |
Lee; Jun Hwa (Anyang-Si,
KR), Joo; Jae Man (Suwon-Si, KR) |
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
(Suwon-Si, KR)
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Family
ID: |
37831730 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/501,081 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20070157415 A1 |
Jul 12, 2007 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jan 6, 2006 [KR] |
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10-2006-0001921 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/319;
15/328 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
9/106 (20130101); A47L 9/2805 (20130101); A47L
9/2873 (20130101); A47L 9/2889 (20130101); A47L
5/225 (20130101); A47L 9/2884 (20130101); A47L
2201/022 (20130101); A47L 2201/024 (20130101); A47L
2201/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
9/28 (20060101); A47L 7/00 (20060101); A47L
5/12 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;15/319,340.1,340.2,328
;700/245 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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197 53 668 |
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Nov 1998 |
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DE |
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2 238 196 |
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Aug 2005 |
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ES |
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7-47007 |
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May 1995 |
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JP |
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10-272078 |
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Oct 1998 |
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JP |
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2003-180587 |
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Jul 2003 |
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JP |
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Other References
European Search Report for corresponding European application
06118999.9-2316, mailed Jul. 7, 2008. cited by other .
Chinese Office Action for corresponding Chinese Application
200610129147.6; mailed Nov. 28, 2008. cited by other .
Korean Search Report for corresponding Korean Application
2006-245755; dated Dec. 19, 2008. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Thomas; David B
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Staas & Halsey LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cleaner system comprising: a robot cleaner comprising: a robot
body having an inlet to receive dust, a first dust collector
mounted in the robot body to collect the dust received, and a dust
outlet formed at a top wall of the robot body to discharge the dust
collected in the first dust collector; and a docking station
removing the dust collected in the first dust collector when the
docking station is connected with the robot cleaner, the docking
station comprising: a connection port formed at a position thereof
corresponding to the dust outlet to receive the dust discharged
from the dust outlet, a station body including a blower and a
second dust collector mounted in the station body to suck and
collect dust, and a suction hole, a suction pipe connected with the
station body to enable manual cleaning using the docking station,
the suction hole communicating with the suction pipe, a first
suction channel defined between the suction hole and the connection
port, and a channel switching member provided in the station body
vertically movable between a first position in the first suction
channel allowing the suction hole to communicate with the second
dust collector and a second position in the first suction channel
allowing the connection port to communicate with the second dust
collector to selectively apply a force generated by the blower to
the connection port or to the suction hole.
2. The cleaner system according to claim 1, further comprising: a
connector mounted in the robot cleaner or the docking station to
connect the dust outlet to the connection port when the robot
cleaner is coupled with the docking station.
3. The cleaner system according to claim 1, wherein the dust outlet
comprises an opening/closing member to close the dust outlet when
the robot cleaner performs automatic cleaning.
4. The cleaner system according to claim 1, wherein the robot
cleaner further comprises a rechargeable battery, and the docking
station comprises a charger to be electrically connected with the
rechargeable battery when the robot cleaner is coupled to the
docking station, to charge the rechargeable battery.
5. The cleaner system according to claim 1, wherein a second
suction channel is defined between the first suction channel and
the second dust collector to communicate with the first suction
channel.
6. The cleaner system according to claim 5, wherein, the first
suction channel is divided into a first channel portion in the
proximity of the suction hole and a second channel portion in the
proximity of the connection port, depending on a position where the
first suction channel communicates with the second suction channel,
and wherein the first suction channel comprises a channel switching
member to selectively communicate the second suction channel with
one of the first and second channel portions.
7. The cleaner system according to claim 6, wherein the channel
switching member is vertically movable in the first suction
channel.
8. The cleaner system according to claim 7, wherein the channel
switching member comprises a first connection channel to connect
the first channel portion to the second suction channel when the
channel switching member moves downward, and a second connection
channel to connect the second channel portion to the second suction
channel when the channel switching member moves upward.
9. The cleaner system according to claim 1, wherein the robot
cleaner further comprises a rechargeable battery, and the docking
station further comprises a charger to be electrically connected
with the rechargeable battery when the robot cleaner is coupled to
the docking station, to charge the rechargeable battery.
10. A cleaner system comprising a robot cleaner having a first dust
collector, and a docking station to remove dust collected in the
first dust collector, wherein the robot cleaner comprises a dust
outlet to discharge the dust into the docking station, and wherein
the docking station comprises: a station body having a connection
port to receive the dust discharged from the dust outlet, a suction
hole to receive dust sucked from the floor into the station body, a
second dust collector to collect the dust delivered from the
connection port and the suction hole, a blower to generate a
suction force required for the suction of dust, a first suction
channel defined between the suction hole and the connection port,
and a channel switching member provided in the station body
vertically movable between a first position in the first suction
channel allowing the suction hole to communicate with the second
dust collector and a second position in the first suction channel
allowing the connection port to communicate with the second dust
collector to selectively apply the suction force generated by the
blower to the connection port or suction hole.
11. The cleaner system according to claim 10, wherein a second
suction channel is defined between the first suction channel and
the second dust collector to communicate with the first suction
channel, the channel switching member selectively providing
communication between the suction hole of the docketing station and
the second suction channel and between the connection port
receiving dust from the robot cleaner and the second suction
channel.
12. The cleaner system according to claim 11, wherein the first
suction channel is divided into a first channel portion in the
proximity of the suction hole and a second channel portion in the
proximity of the connection port depending on a position where the
first suction channel communicates with the second suction channel,
and the channel switching member selectively communicates the
second suction channel with one of the first and second channel
portions.
13. A cleaner system, comprising: a robot cleaner to automatically
clean and collect dust, comprising: an inlet to receive the dust, a
first dust collector to collect the dust received via the inlet, a
dust outlet positioned on a top portion thereof, to discharge dust
therefrom, and a suction part to suction dust; and a docking
station to remove the dust from the robot cleaner, comprising: a
station body including a blower, a protruding portion, a connection
port corresponding to the dust outlet of the robot cleaner and
coupled with the dust outlet via a connector to receive the dust
discharged from the dust outlet a suction pipe to connect the
suction part of the robot cleaner with the docking station and to
receive the dust suctioned by the suction part, to thereby enable a
user to perform manual cleaning via the docking station, a suction
hole communicating with the suction pipe, a first suction channel
defined between the suction hole and the connection port, and a
channel switching member provided in the station body vertically
movable between a first position in the first suction channel
allowing the suction hole to communicate with the second dust
collector and a second position in the first suction channel
allowing the connection port to communicate with the second dust
collector to selectively apply a force generated by the blower to
the connection port or to the suction hole, and a second dust
collector to collect the dust received via the connection port,
wherein the robot cleaner is received under the protruding portion
of the docking station and coupled with the docking station at the
suction part to perform a dust removal operation.
14. The cleaner system of claim 13, wherein the docking station
further comprises: a second suction channel formed between the
first suction channel and the second dust collector, wherein the
dust collected by the suction part travels through the suction pipe
into the first suction channel, and into the second dust collector
via the second suction channel, wherein the suction hole is formed
through the protruding portion and corresponding to the connection
port, to receive the suction pipe therein.
15. The cleaner system of claim 13, wherein when the dust collected
by the first dust collector of the robot cleaner while
automatically cleaning and collecting dust, exceeds a predetermined
level, the robot cleaner returns to the docking station for removal
of the dust collected, and the docking station performs the dust
removal operation.
16. The cleaner system of claim 15, wherein the robot cleaner
further comprises a dust quantity sensor to sense a quantity of the
dust collected in the first dust collector and to determine whether
the dust collected exceeds the predetermined level.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application
No. 10-2006-0001921, filed on Jan. 6, 2006 in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cleaner. More particularly, to a
cleaner system having a docking station, which is provided to suck
and remove dust and loose debris stored in a robot cleaner.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional cleaner is a device used to remove dust in a room
for cleaning the room. A conventional vacuum cleaner collects dust
and loose debris by a suction force generated from a low-pressure
unit. Recently, a cleaning robot, which is designed to remove dust
and loose debris from the floor while moving on the floor via
without manual operation, has been developed. Hereinafter, a term
"automatic cleaning" refers to a cleaning operation performed by a
robot cleaner that removes dust and loose debris while moving by
itself, whereas a term "manual cleaning" refers to a cleaning
operation performed by a person using a vacuum cleaner.
Generally, the robot cleaner is combined with a station
(hereinafter, referred to as a docking station) to form a single
cleaning system. The docking station is located at a specific place
in a room and serves to charge the robot cleaner and to remove dust
and debris stored in the robot cleaner.
One example of the above-described cleaner system is disclosed in
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0150519. The disclosed cleaner
system includes a mobile suction appliance (i.e. robot cleaner) and
a suction station having a suction unit to suck dust and loose
debris. The robot cleaner includes a suction inlet at a bottom wall
thereof, to suck dust and loose debris, and brushes are rotatably
mounted in the proximity of the suction inlet, to sweep up the dust
and loose debris. The suction station includes an oblique front
surface to enable the robot cleaner to ascend therealong, and a
suction inlet formed at a portion of the oblique front surface.
Accordingly, when the robot cleaner ascends along the oblique front
surface to reach a docking position, the suction inlet of the
oblique front surface faces the suction inlet of the robot cleaner.
In accordance with the operation of the suction unit, thereby, dust
and debris, stored in the robot cleaner, are sucked into and
removed by the suction station.
In the conventional cleaner system as stated above, the dust and
debris, collected in the robot cleaner, are discharged through the
suction inlet. However, the suction inlet, which is also used to
suck dust and loose debris, has a broad width in order to
efficiently suck the dust and loose debris, and therefore, is
difficult to achieve an effective utilization of a suction force
generated by the suction station.
Further, when the dust and loose debris are sucked from the robot
cleaner into the suction station, the dust and debris, discharged
from the suction inlet, tend to be caught by the brushes that are
mounted in the proximity of the suction inlet of the robot cleaner.
The dust and debris, caught by the brushes, may make the floor of a
room unclean when the robot cleaner again performs automatic
cleaning.
Furthermore, the conventional cleaner system has a problem in that
a suction channel for connecting the suction inlet of the robot
cleaner to the suction unit of the suction station must be located
below the robot cleaner when the robot cleaner docks with the
suction station, and therefore, the oblique front surface of the
suction station must have a high height. This makes it difficult
for the robot cleaner to dock with the suction station.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a
cleaner system having an improved connecting position and structure
between a robot cleaner and a docking station, thereby achieving an
improvement in dust removal performance of the docking station.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a cleaner
system which allows a user to perform manual cleaning by use of a
docking station, which serves to remove dust and debris collected
in a robot cleaner.
Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set
forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will
be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of
the invention.
The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are
achieved by providing a cleaner system including a robot cleaner
and a docking station, the robot cleaner including a robot body
having an inlet to receive dust, and a first dust collector mounted
in the robot body to collect the dust received, the docking station
to remove the dust collected in the first dust collector when it is
connected to the robot cleaner, wherein the robot cleaner includes
a dust outlet at a top wall of the robot body to discharge the dust
collected in the first dust collector into the docking station, and
wherein the docking station includes a connection port formed at a
position thereof corresponding to the dust outlet to receive the
dust discharged from the dust outlet.
The cleaner system further includes a connector mounted in the
robot cleaner or docking station to connect the dust outlet to the
connection port when the robot cleaner is coupled to the docking
station.
The dust outlet includes an opening/closing member to close the
dust outlet when the robot cleaner performs automatic cleaning.
The robot cleaner further includes a rechargeable battery, and the
docking station further includes a charger to be electrically
connected to the rechargeable battery when the robot cleaner is
coupled to the docking station, to charge the rechargeable
battery.
The docking station further includes a station body, and a blower
and a second dust collector which are mounted in the station body
to suck and collect dust.
The docking station further includes a suction pipe, which is
connected with the station body to enable manual cleaning using the
docking station, and the station body includes a suction hole to
communicate with the suction pipe.
A first suction channel is defined between the suction hole and the
connection port, and a second suction channel is defined between
the first suction channel and the second dust collector to
communicate with the first suction channel.
Depending on a position where the first suction channel
communicates with the second suction channel, the first suction
channel is divided into a first channel portion in the proximity of
the suction hole and a second channel portion in the proximity of
the connection port, and the first suction channel includes a
channel switching member to selectively communicate the second
suction channel with one of the first and second channel
portions.
The channel switching member is vertically movable in the first
suction channel.
The channel switching member includes a first connection channel to
connect the first channel portion to the second suction channel
when the channel switching member moves downward, and a second
connection channel to connect the second channel portion to the
second suction channel when the channel switching member moves
upward.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a cleaner
system including a robot cleaner having a first dust collector, and
a docking station to remove dust collected in the first dust
collector, wherein the robot cleaner includes a dust outlet to
discharge the dust into the docking station, and wherein the
docking station includes a station body including a connection port
to receive the dust discharged from the dust outlet; a suction hole
to introduce dust sucked from the floor into the station body, a
second dust collector to collect the dust delivered from the
connection port and the suction hole, a blower to generate a
suction force required for the suction of dust, and a channel
switching member provided in the station body to selectively apply
the suction force generated by the blower to the connection port or
suction hole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outer appearance of a
cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGS. 2 and 3 are side sectional views illustrating a robot cleaner
and docking station as shown in FIG. 1, respectively;
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the cleaner system of FIG. 1,
illustrating the robot cleaner and docking station coupled to each
other;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the outer
appearance of a cleaner system according to another embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view illustrating the docking station of
FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the cleaner system of FIG. 5,
illustrating the robot cleaner and docking station coupled to each
other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiment of the
present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to
explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outer appearance of a
cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are side sectional views illustrating a robot cleaner
and docking station as shown in FIG. 1, respectively. FIG. 4 is a
side sectional view of the cleaner system of FIG. 1, illustrating
the robot cleaner and docking station coupled to each other.
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the cleaner system according to an
embodiment of the present invention, comprises a robot cleaner 100,
and a docking station 200. The robot cleaner 100 includes a robot
body 110 having an inlet 111 to receive dust and loose debris, and
a first dust collector 120 mounted in the robot body 110 to collect
the dust and debris received. The docking station 200 removes the
dust and debris collected in the first dust collector 120 when it
is connected with the robot cleaner 100. Specifically, the robot
cleaner 100 is designed to perform automatic cleaning while moving
by itself in an area to be cleaned. When the dust and debris sucked
exceeds a predetermined level, the robot cleaner 100 returns to the
docking station 200 for the removal of the dust and debris
sucked.
As shown in FIG. 2, the robot cleaner 100 further includes a first
blower 130 mounted in the robot body 110 to provide power required
to suck dust and loose debris, and a filter 101 interposed between
the first blower 130 and the first dust collector 120 to prevent
the dust and debris sucked from entering the first blower 130.
Although not shown, the first blower 130 has a suction motor and a
fan to be rotated by the suction motor. Also, a dust quantity
sensor 102 is mounted in the robot body 110 to sense the quantity
of dust and debris collected in the first dust collector 120 and to
determine whether the dust collected exceeds the predetermined
level.
The robot body 110 comprises a pair of drive wheels 112 at a bottom
wall thereof for the traveling of the robot cleaner 100. Each of
the drive wheels 112 is selectively driven by a drive motor (not
shown), to enable the robot cleaner 100 to move in a desired
direction. The robot body 110 is also provided at an outer surface
thereof with an obstacle detection sensor 113, such as an infrared
sensor or ultrasonic sensor. The obstacle detection sensor 113
serves to measure distances between the robot cleaner 100 and
obstacles located around the robot cleaner 100, so as to prevent
the robot cleaner 100 from colliding with the obstacles.
In addition to the inlet 111 that is formed at the bottom wall of
the robot body 110 to suck dust and loose debris from the floor B
of the area to be cleaned, the robot cleaner 100 further comprises
a first outlet 114 to discharge an air stream generated by the
first blower 130 to the outside of the robot body 110, and a dust
outlet 115 to discharge the dust and debris sucked into the docking
station 200 when the robot cleaner 100 is coupled to the docking
station 200. In the present embodiment, the first outlet 114 is
formed at a rear wall of the robot body 110, and the dust outlet
115 is formed at a top wall of the robot body 110.
A brush 116 is rotatably mounted in the proximity of the inlet 111
of the robot body 110 to sweep up dust and loose debris from the
floor B, and an inlet pipe 117 is interposed between the inlet 111
and the first dust collector 120 for connecting them to each
other.
In the present invention, the dust outlet 115 being formed at the
top wall of the robot body 110 as stated above, ensures a more
efficient removal of the dust and debris collected in the first
dust collector 120 as compared with a conventional configuration
wherein dust and debris must be discharged through a dust inlet
formed at a robot body. Also, there is no risk that the dust and
debris, collected in the first dust collector 120, are caught by
the brush 116 or fall on the floor B when they are discharged from
the first dust collector 120.
The dust outlet 115 communicates with both the inlet pipe 117 and
the first dust collector 120. An opening/closing member 140 is
provided at the dust outlet 115 of the robot cleaner 100 to open
the dust outlet 115 only when the robot cleaner 100 is coupled to
the docking station 200. Specifically, when the robot cleaner 100
performs automatic cleaning, the opening/closing member 140 closes
the dust outlet 115 to prevent a suction force generated by the
first blower 130 from leaking through the dust outlet 115. Also,
when the robot cleaner 100 is coupled with the docking station 200
for the removal of the dust and debris collected in the first dust
collector 120, the opening/closing member 140 opens the dust outlet
115 to guide the dust and debris collected in the first dust
collector 120 to the docking station 200.
The robot cleaner 100 further comprises a rechargeable battery 150
to supply electric power required for the operation of the robot
cleaner 100. The rechargeable battery 150 is connected with a
charging terminal 151, which protrudes upward out of the robot body
110 to be charged by a commercial alternator when the robot cleaner
100 is connected with the docking station 200.
As shown in FIG. 3, the docking station 200 comprises a station
body 210, a second blower 220 mounted in the station body 210 to
provide power required to suck the dust and debris collected in the
first dust collector 120, and a second dust collector 230 mounted
in the station body 210 to collect the dust and debris sucked.
Although not shown, the second blower 220 includes a suction motor
and a fan to be rotated by the suction motor.
The station body 210 comprises a protruding portion 211, which
protrudes forward to cover a top of the robot cleaner 100 when the
robot cleaner 100 returns to the docking station 200. The
protruding portion 211 is formed with a connection port 212 at a
position of a lower surface thereof corresponding to the dust
outlet 115 when the robot cleaner 100 is coupled to the docking
station 200. The connection port 212 receives the dust and debris
delivered from the robot cleaner 100.
A connector 240 is fitted into the connection port 212 to connect
the dust outlet 115 of the robot cleaner 100 to the connection port
212 when the robot cleaner 100 is coupled with the docking station
200. The connector 240 may be one selected from among a variety of
elements to communicate the connection port 212 with the dust
outlet 115 when the robot cleaner 100 is coupled with the docking
station 200. In the present embodiment, the connector 240 is a
movable tube mounted in the station body 210 in a vertically
movable manner. Specifically, when the robot cleaner 100 is coupled
with the docking station 200, the movable tube partially protrudes
downward out of the station body 210 to communicate the connection
port 212 with the dust outlet 115 (See FIGS. 3 and 4, for example).
Alternatively, the connector 240 may be mounted in the robot
cleaner 100.
A channel 213 is defined between the connection port 212 and the
second dust collector 230 to guide the dust and debris, delivered
through the connection port 212 from the first dust collector 120,
to the second dust collector 230. Also, a second outlet 214 is
formed at a rear wall of the station body 210 to discharge an air
stream, generated by the second blower 220, to the outside of the
station body 210.
A charger 250 is mounted in the station body 210 to charge the
rechargeable battery 150 of the robot cleaner 100. A power terminal
251 is provided at a side of the charger 250 to be electrically
connected with the charging terminal 151 when the robot cleaner 100
is coupled to the docking station 200.
Hereinafter, the operation of the cleaner system of the present
invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1-4, for
example. First, the robot cleaner 100 begins to move by itself to
suck and remove dust and loose debris from the floor B of an area
to be cleaned. In such a dust suction stage, the opening/closing
member 140 of the robot cleaner 100 closes the dust outlet 115 to
prevent a suction force generated by the first blower 130 from
leaking through the dust outlet 115. Thereby, the dust and debris
sucked from the floor B are collected in the first dust collector
120 by passing through the inlet 111 and the inlet pipe 117. When
the quantity of dust and debris collected in the first dust
collector 120 exceeds a predetermined level, the robot cleaner 100
ceases the cleaning, and returns to the docking station 200 for the
removal of the dust and debris collected. When the robot cleaner
100 returns to a predetermined position, the connector 240 mounted
in the docking station 200 communicates the dust outlet 115 of the
robot cleaner 100 with the connection port 212 of the docking
station 200. After completion of the above connecting procedure,
the second blower 220 operates to deliver the dust and debris
collected in the first dust collector 120 to the second dust
collector 230 by suction, to empty the first dust collector 120. In
this case, the inlet 111 and the first outlet 114 of the robot
cleaner 100 are affected by an inward suction force, and therefore,
there is no risk that the dust and debris collected leak out of the
robot cleaner 100 through the inlet 111 when the dust and debris
are delivered into the second dust collector 230. The inward
suction force, also, has the effect of removing the dust and
debris, clinging to the filter 101 in front of the first blower
130, to be delivered into the second dust collector 230.
Meanwhile, when the rechargeable battery 150 needs to be charged
even if the robot cleaner 100 is not filled with dust and debris,
the robot cleaner 100 ceases the cleaning, and returns to the
docking station 200. In this case, if any dust and debris are
collected in the first dust collector 120, they can be manually
removed. Specifically, when a user inputs a dust removal command to
the cleaner system during the charging of the robot cleaner 100,
the connector 240 of the docking station 200 operates to
communicate the dust outlet 115 of the robot cleaner 100 with the
connection port 212 of the docking station 200, and successively,
the second blower 220 operates to remove the dust and debris
collected in the first dust collector 120.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an outer
appearance of a cleaner system according to another embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the
configuration of a docking station of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a side
sectional view of the cleaner system of FIG. 5, illustrating the
robot cleaner and docking station which are coupled to each other.
The second embodiment of the present invention describes an example
in which the docking station for the removal of dust is used as a
general vacuum cleaner. Hereinafter, the same elements as those of
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are designated as the same reference
numerals, and only characteristic features of the present
embodiment will be explained.
As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the docking station 200 of the cleaner
system according to another embodiment of the present invention
comprises a suction part 260 to suck dust and loose debris from the
floor B, and a suction pipe 261 to connect the suction part 260 to
the station body 210 so as to transfer a suction force generated by
the second blower 220 to the suction part 260.
The suction pipe 261 includes a first suction pipe 261a and a
second suction pipe 261b. A handle 262 is interposed between the
first suction pipe 261a and the second suction pipe 261b. The
handle 262 includes a variety of buttons to ensure easy
manipulation. The first suction pipe 261a is a flexible wrinkled
pipe, and includes a first end connected with the station body 210
and a second end connected with the handle 262. The second suction
pipe 261b includes a first end connected with the handle 262 and a
second end connected with the suction part 260. Thus, a user is
able to perform manual cleaning to remove dust and loose debris
from the floor while moving freely in a standing position.
A suction hole 215 is formed at an upper surface of the protruding
portion 211 of the station body 210 such that the suction pipe 261
is connected with the suction hole 215. A first suction channel 270
is defined between the suction hole 215 and the connection port
212. Also, a second suction channel 280 is defined between the
first suction channel 270 and the second dust collector 230 to
communicate with the first suction channel 270, in order to guide
the dust and debris, having passed through the first suction
channel 270, into the second dust collector 230. Based on a
position where the first suction channel 270 communicates with the
second suction channel 280, the first suction channel 270 is
divided into a first channel portion 271 in the proximity of the
suction hole 215 and a second channel portion 272 in the proximity
of the connection port 212.
The first suction channel 270 is provided with a channel switching
member 290, which selectively communicates the second suction
channel 280 with one of the first and second channel portions 271
and 272. When the channel switching member 290 communicates the
first channel portion 271 with the second suction channel 280, a
suction force generated by the second blower 220 is applied to the
suction part 260 through the suction hole 215, thereby allowing the
docking station 200 to be used as a general vacuum cleaner (See
FIG. 6). Also, when the dust and debris collected in the robot
cleaner 100 needs to be removed, the channel switching member 290
communicates the second channel portion 272 in the proximity of the
connection port 212 with the second suction channel 280, thereby
allowing the suction force generated by the second blower 220 to be
applied to the first dust collector 120 through the connection port
212 and the dust outlet 115. As a result, the dust and debris
collected in the first dust collector 120 of the robot cleaner 100
are sucked into the second dust collector 230, to be removed
completely from the first dust collector 120 (See FIG. 7, for
example).
The channel switching member 290 is mounted to move vertically in
the first suction channel 270. The channel switching member 290 is
internally defined with a first connection channel 291 to connect
the first channel portion 271 to the second suction channel 280
when the channel switching member 290 moves downward, and a second
connection channel 292 to connect the second channel portion 272 to
the second suction channel 280 when the channel switching member
290 moves upward. A partition 293 is located between the first
connection channel 291 and the second connection channel 292 to
separate them from each other.
Although not shown, the channel switching member 290 may be moved
vertically by use of a drive unit including a motor, rack gear,
pinion gear, etc.
It will be appreciated that the above-described configuration of
the channel switching member 290 is merely exemplary, and it may be
one selected from among a variety of elements including a valve, so
long as it can selectively switch the channel.
As apparent from the above description, the present invention
provides a cleaner system wherein dust and debris collected in a
robot cleaner are discharged out of the robot cleaner through a
dust outlet that is formed at the top of the robot cleaner, whereby
loss of a suction force generated by a docking station can be
prevented. Accordingly, the time and suction force required to
remove the dust and debris collected can be reduced while achieving
high dust removal efficiency.
Further, according to the present invention, the robot cleaner is
connected with the docking station by use of a connector, and
therefore, there is no risk of leakage of dust and suction force
generated by the docking station when the dust is sucked into the
docking station.
Furthermore, the docking station of an embodiment of the present
invention is able to be used as a general vacuum cleaner when a
suction pipe is added thereto, resulting in an improvement in the
convenience of use.
Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown
and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing
from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which
is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
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